The Pros And Cons Of Assisted Suicide

One who is not terminally ill does not know the pain and suffering of being terminally ill. Some described the pain as unbearable and intolerable. Why should someone be destined to live in this much pain? In some states and countries where this action is legal, they do not have to. They are given the option of assisted suicide. On the contrary, some believe this option is inhumane and unethical. This is still a constant controversy going on in America and around the world. No one should be compelled endure the pain of their illness if there is no cure, which is why assisted suicide should be legal with the patient's request. Assisted Suicide, also known as mercy killing, right-to-die, or euthanasia, is the act of ending one's life by

As with anything, there is constantly debate about the criteria. For any patient receiving euthanasia, they must be able to answer abounding questions while completing some task to fit the criteria. If one has ever seen a terminally ill patient, several are not able to accomplish things considering their illness is controlling their life. For example, the patient must be fully aware of the decision he or she is making. A written request is required two times that are each fifteen days apart. Along with the written request, a verbal request has to be made with two witnesses. The doctor must have diagnosed them with a terminal illness. A terminal illness can be defined as a patient with six months or less to live. For the reason that the patient is deciding to end their life, which is a very serious action, they must be able to take the medication on their own. The doctor is allowed to hand the dose of euthanasia to the patient, but the patient must physically intake it on their own (Berkeley Wellness 1). This is where the controversy comes in. What about the patients who are so ill that they cannot even take the medication on their own? Someone who is so sick that is not able to physically take the medication should not be denied of this option. However, it is against the guidelines, which are followed very

Doctors are trained to save lives, not end a life. During the process to become a doctor, they all must take an oath. According to the Los Angeles Times, the oath states, “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel.” Yet, the act of mercy killing is the total opposite of the pledge they take. In behalf of how euthanasia opposes this oath, it is famously called the “hippocratic oath”(1). On the other hand, doctors have seen and know the pain that all of their terminally ill patients can be in. Most doctors have treated and tried every medication to help fix their patient, who has now turned into a friend because of the countless hours they have spent together in the hospital looking for a cure. As anyone can relate to, doctors absolutely hate seeing their own patient in pain, thinking that it is their fault they could not find a cure. Yes, there are medicines to take away the pain, but the patient’s quality of life is so decumbent that the doctors see the positives in assisted suicide. Depending on the different doctors, the opinions and views of the act will differ, causing a tremendous amount of variation in the medical